Copyright https://www.christianity.com 2025, Christianity.com Wed, 16 Apr 2025 06:56:44 -0400 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/why-did-jesus-die-on-the-cross.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/why-did-jesus-die-on-the-cross.html Sophia Bricker https://www.christianity.com/author/sophia-bricker/ Jesus didn’t die by accident—He chose the cross to pay for our sins, satisfy God’s justice, fulfill prophecy, and bring us new life forever. Wed, 09 Apr 2025 15:45:00 -0400 2025-04-16T06:56:44-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/7-somber-moments-on-jesus-journey-to-the-cross.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/7-somber-moments-on-jesus-journey-to-the-cross.html Amanda Idleman https://www.christianity.com/author/amanda-idleman/ Jesus’ journey to the cross was filled with meaning and purpose. His suffering was more than merely tasting death. He experienced heartbreak, defeat, ridicule, physical pain, loneliness, anguish, and so much more.We see that he took on the cares and suffering that are common in this world so he could better know and love us. As we study the scripture and reflect on the moments that led to Jesus's death, we grow a better appreciation for the grace that Jesus embodies for every person, both living on Earth and those who are alive again in Heaven.Let’s pause to reflect and consider the sober moments that led to Jesus giving up his life for us on the cross.1. Jesus’ Friend Betrays HimJudas, one of Jesus' disciples and friends, made the move that directly led to Jesus’ death. It’s hard to imagine how this man who walked with the Son of Man had a heart so hard that he betrayed him in exchange for money. He gave up eternity in Heaven for the momentary promise of pleasure that money offers, which he never could even realize!While Jesus knew that Judas was the one who sought out chief priests and guards to betray him, he still offered him a place at the communion table (Luke 22:4). By identifying his betrayer, he was showing him such grace. It was one last moment for Judas to repent. Jesus shares at the last supper that he will be betrayed, allowing Judas to make a change and warning him of the fate that awaited him willing to betray the Son of God (Luke 22: 21-22).In this tense, meaningful, and sober exchange, we see that Jesus was reminding his disciples once again that the Kingdom of Heaven is real and that it operates nothing like what they imagined.Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/RomoloTavani Tue, 08 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0400 2025-04-16T06:56:44-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/is-jesus-a-zombie-what-does-it-really-mean-that-he-was-resurrected.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/is-jesus-a-zombie-what-does-it-really-mean-that-he-was-resurrected.html Joel Ryan https://www.christianity.com/author/joel-ryan/ Many different characters and creatures appear in the pages of Scripture. The Bible references angels and demons, animals of every kind, shepherds, spies, giants, and kings. And… zombies? This Easter, millions of Christians around the world will celebrate the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, the miraculous nature of Christ’s return from the dead and His emergence from the garden tomb have recently led some to wonder: could Jesus have been a zombie?In truth, Jesus was not a zombie in the same sense that our media likes to portray them. His rotting corpse did not hobble around the streets of Jerusalem drooling, groaning, and looking to feast on human brains. However, resurrection is a key doctrine of the Christian faith and essential to our understanding of spiritual death and the eternal life that Christians will one day inherit by sharing in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Rastan Mon, 07 Apr 2025 10:50:00 -0400 2025-04-16T06:56:44-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/why-did-gods-plan-include-the-crucifixion-of-his-own-son.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/why-did-gods-plan-include-the-crucifixion-of-his-own-son.html Dr. Michael Youssef https://www.christianity.com/author/dr-michael-youssef/ God’s plan included the cross because only Jesus could save us from sin. Sun, 06 Apr 2025 11:00:00 -0400 2025-04-16T06:56:44-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/7-meditations-in-remembrance-of-the-last-supper.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/7-meditations-in-remembrance-of-the-last-supper.html Britt Mooney https://www.christianity.com/author/britt-mooney/ Millions of people around the world celebrate Easter, the week and time when we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we can enter his finished work of salvation by grace through faith. Whether on Easter or throughout the year, many Christians will also take communion, a tradition and sacrament commanded by Christ and passed down through the centuries. It takes many forms and varied levels of belief, but we take the bread and wine as a community. Our modern communion flows from when Jesus participated in the Passover dinner the night before his death. We call this meal the Last Supper, since he would be arrested that night and crucified the following day. Like the rest of Scripture, the accounts of the Last Supper go far deeper and communicate more meaning when we explore the story from different Gospel passages, each revealing more truth and love from the Father through the Son. Here are 7 reflective meditations in remembrance of The Last Supper. Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/ Rey Proenza Sun, 06 Apr 2025 10:25:00 -0400 2025-04-16T06:56:44-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/what-does-jesuss-resurrection-mean-for-us-today.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/what-does-jesuss-resurrection-mean-for-us-today.html Jessica Brodie https://www.christianity.com/author/jessica-brodie/ What if the key to becoming a more patient, present, and peaceful parent isn't adding more, but giving something up? Wed, 02 Apr 2025 14:30:00 -0400 2025-04-16T06:56:44-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/5-undeniable-truths-the-empty-cross-declares-about-your-faith.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/slideshows/5-undeniable-truths-the-empty-cross-declares-about-your-faith.html Candice Lucey https://www.christianity.com/author/candice-lucey/ The central feature of the cross is what - or who-is not there: Christ is not on the cross. This is important. In fact, he is not in the tomb either. The empty cross is central to our understanding of our Christian faith and the very nature of the King we serve. Here are five reasons why the empty cross is important to Christians.1. Jesus Is Not Dead“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.”- 1 Corinthians 15:20First of all, we do not worship a suffering Savior. He did suffer, but he is no longer in anguish. In fact, Jesus has ascended. His Holy Spirit remains as our helper, but Jesus is in heaven with the Father, waiting for the time when he will come back to destroy Satan and to raise those who have died in Christ (and to call the living who serve him into the Kingdom of God).Billy Graham wrote that “the foot of the empty cross is the ultimate destination in life. Your acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice, or your rejection of it, determines your future life.” When we call ourselves “Christian”, this should signal a belief that God came down to show us who God is, but is now risen. While many elements of faith life differ, for every Christian, this is a universal declaration and one about which there can be no debate. We can disagree about the rapture or about predestination but there can be no argument about this: Christ is alive.Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Arthit_Longwilai Tue, 01 Apr 2025 18:45:00 -0400 2025-04-16T06:56:44-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/why-did-blood-and-water-come-out-of-jesus-side-when-he-was-pierced.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/why-did-blood-and-water-come-out-of-jesus-side-when-he-was-pierced.html Joel Ryan https://www.christianity.com/author/joel-ryan/ While there is a forensic explanation for the blood and water that flowed from Jesus’ side when He was pierced, there is also a deeply spiritual significance to this event. Fri, 28 Mar 2025 09:50:00 -0400 2025-04-16T06:56:44-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/why-did-jesus-tell-mary-magdalene-do-not-cling-to-me.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/why-did-jesus-tell-mary-magdalene-do-not-cling-to-me.html Britt Mooney https://www.christianity.com/author/britt-mooney/ Mary Magdalene encounters the resurrected Jesus, and he says to her in John 20:17, “Don’t cling to me.” Thu, 27 Mar 2025 14:10:00 -0400 2025-04-16T06:56:44-04:00 https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/what-happened-to-jesus-earthly-father-joseph.html https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/what-happened-to-jesus-earthly-father-joseph.html Veronica Olson Neffinger https://www.christianity.com/author/veronica-neffinger/ Joseph is a central figure in the story of Jesus’ birth, but he quickly takes a backseat as the Gospels continue, which may lead us to wonder what happened to him after Jesus was born, grew up, and began his earthly ministry. Mon, 24 Mar 2025 10:05:00 -0400 2025-04-16T06:56:44-04:00